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Out of every hundred new ideas ninety-nine or more will probably be inferior to the traditional responses which they propose to replace. No one man, however brilliant or well-informed, can come in one lifetime to such fullness of understanding as to safely judge and dismiss the customs or institutions of his society, for those are the wisdom of generations after centuries of experiment in the laboratory of history.
Thomas Sowell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Innovation often struggles against established traditions, which are the result of collective experience over time.

This quote by Thomas Sowell emphasizes the importance of traditional responses and customs, suggesting that while new ideas may seem appealing, they are often less valuable than the time-tested wisdom of past generations. Sowell warns that no individual, no matter how knowledgeable, can fully understand and evaluate the intricate tapestry of societal customs and institutions that have emerged from centuries of historical experience.

Themes

TraditionInnovationWisdomSocietyHistory

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on the value of innovation versus tradition in a business meeting.

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